Allen: Mainers want the U.S. out of Iraq

Thursday

May 31, 2007 at 2:00 AM

PORTLAND, Maine — Democratic Senate hopeful Tom Allen wrapped up a four-day swing through northern Maine by returning to familiar territory on Wednesday as he rallied supporters at his campaign headquarters in his hometown.

Associated Press

PORTLAND, Maine — Democratic Senate hopeful Tom Allen wrapped up a four-day swing through northern Maine by returning to familiar territory on Wednesday as he rallied supporters at his campaign headquarters in his hometown.

The congressman who hopes to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins hammered away at President Bush's handling of the Iraq war and his tax cuts for the wealthy.

Allen, who represents southern Maine's 1st District, said he found during a tour through northern Maine that began Sunday and included stops in Fort Kent, Bangor, Ellsworth and Auburn that people feel much the same as those in his home district.

"Maine people have told me they want our involvement in Iraq to end," said Allen, who stood in front of homemade signs and loyal supporters.

Allen, who's in his sixth term, filed papers earlier this month and announced his intention to run against Collins, a two-term senator from Caribou.

Back then, Allen described the president's handling of Iraq as "the worst foreign policy mistake in our nation's history." He blamed Collins for voting to support the war and to oppose a timeline for bringing the troops home.

Allen said that he has long supported a deadline for a U.S. pullout to put pressure on Shiite and Sunni leaders to work together.

Collins has opposed timetables. But she said that if the president's troop buildup doesn't show results by later this summer that Congress should consider all options, including redefining the U.S. role in Iraq and beginning to bring troops home.

Despite his criticism of Bush's handling of Iraq, Allen declined to support an effort in the Maine Legislature to press for impeachment proceedings.

Impeachment supporters claim to have collected signatures of support from more than 11,000 Mainers, and state Sen. Ethan Strimling has introduced a nonbinding resolution of support for impeachment of both Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

Allen said the move would take time away from important issues, including finding a way to resolve the conflict in Iraq.

"While I understand the frustration, I don't think that we should proceed with impeachment proceedings," Allen said.

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